The Rural Municipality of Sliding Hills is continuing to focus most of its revenue towards ensuring the roads in hamlets are suitable to drive on.
Harvey Malanowich, the reeve of the RM, said he has been working hard managing the income and expenses of the town so they can have a small surplus for emergencies.
“We managed one last year and I think we’ll also be able to have a surplus at the end of this year.”
The RM of Sliding Hills has a tax rate of 10 mills, which is similar to last year. Veregin, which is a special area in the RM, has a rate of 12.5. Because the amount of farm land in the area is increasing, however, tax rates may change, but at the moment, Malanowich is confident they should remain the same.
Currently in the RM, the wet weather has added more to the council’s expense for transport and road repairs. In 2015, the repairs required $221,500 of the budget, contractors took $451,500, gravel, $100,000; machinery, 181,000; and culverts, $15,000.
Among other important expenses are water care at $72,000; public works wages at $60,000; council wages at $96,000; police service at $22,000; and fire service at $23,000.
The RM also pays $25,000 annually to Canora’s Parkland Regional Library.
The revenue that provides money for the expenses is provided mainly by taxes, which provided $1,483,273 of the council’s $1,599,233 income in 2015. The remaining money comes from grants and fees, as well as government assistance.
Because of all the efforts put into repairs, Malanowich is happy to say that the roads are in excellent condition, and considers that a selling point for the RM.
“It’s a great place to live,” he said.
Others seem to agree, as farmers are purchasing land in the area, and more people are moving into the area, which is causing the population to see a slight increase from 520 people in prior years.
The RM of Sliding Hills is serviced by Malanowich, councillors Ernie Bodnarek, Myra Machusek, Rodney Semeschuk, Rick Choptuik, Janet Ostafie, and Leonard Derkatch, and Todd Steele, the administrator.
